I think I had, for a moment, forgotten how *not* carefree being (almost) 13 is. I had forgotten that navigating whole-hearted friendships, middle school projects, volleyball, music and…sleep really is all consuming. In the daily hustle and bustle of our lives, I haven’t held enough space for reflecting on the fact that while being a near teenager is fun, it really is a lot to be in the middle of.  We ran away together a few weekends ago. Away from computers and wifi and cell phone coverage. We each staked our own tent, allowing for solitude when we needed it. We walked and talked and swam in the river. We napped and read and wrote. We shared stories and took photographs. Sitting together in silence around the campfire, really put in perspective how noisy our lives often get at home. For the most part, it’s a joyful noise, but it is lovely to be reminded of how replenishing the quieter moments can be and how important it is to seek them out more often.